Background
The rapid pace of digital transformation across Africa presents immense opportunities but also significant challenges, particularly concerning data governance. While the continent generates vast amounts of data from mobile, financial, and online sources, much of this asset is processed outside Africa, hindering its potential for economic growth and innovation within member states. The current data governance landscape in Africa is characterised by fragmentation, with inconsistent laws and regulations, leaving countries susceptible to cyber threats and privacy violations.
Recognising this, continental frameworks such as the African Union (AU) Digital Transformation Strategy (2020–2030), the AU Data Policy Framework (AUDPF), and the Malabo Convention, provide essential guiding principles. However, many African nations are still in the process of adopting these frameworks and developing their own national data protection policies, leading to persistent data breaches, regulatory inconsistencies, and unequal access to data-driven opportunities across the continent.
In response, the Technology, Innovation, Connectivity, and Infrastructure Division (TICID) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) spearheads regional efforts to bridge this gap by strengthening Member States' capacity to localize relevant continental and global frameworks. Through the systematic conduct of national data governance needs assessments and the development of country-contextualized implementation roadmaps, ECA provides both technical guidance and consultative support to enable sustainable policy enforcement.
ECA, as a leading implementing partner, and GIZ through the EU-Delegation Fund, as a powering stakeholder of the Data Governance in Africa (DataCipation) initiative, collaborate on the development of National Data Governance Frameworks across African countries. This partnership advances the inclusive and harmonized implementation of the African Union’s digital and data policy framework, ultimately contributing to the continental objective of establishing a unified and inclusive African data market. In addition to supporting legislative and regulatory alignment, ECA plays a strategic role in shaping data governance systems to include critical sectors such as health, financial services, education, and public administration.
Tanzania
Tanzania is one of the target countries engaged in the current phase of ECA’s data governance support, alongside Burundi, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The country has demonstrated strong commitment to advancing its National Electronic Data Governance Framework, underpinned by close collaboration between national and international stakeholders. The upcoming week-long engagement, scheduled for August 26 to August 29, 2025, marks a critical milestone in this process. It builds on the successful high-level inception workshop held on May 9, 2025, which convened over 150 participants from various sectors and served as a platform for open dialogue and priority setting.
This comprehensive initiative in Tanzania will include:
- Country Assessment: To deepen the understanding of Tanzania’s current data governance landscape, legal and regulatory gaps, and institutional capacity needs.
- Stakeholder Consultation: To facilitate an in-depth discussion to ensure the National Electronic Data Governance Framework is inclusive and reflective of national priorities and the diverse socio-economic context.
- Capacity Building Workshop: To equip targeted audience with the essential knowledge and tools for effective enforcement of data protection laws and the management of cross-border data flows.
The collaboration with the Government of Tanzania is primarily channelled through the Ministry of Information, Communication and Information Technology (MICIT), which plays a central role in regulating, supervising, and monitoring the ICT sector in the country.
ECA technical delegates will co-lead the overall event with MICIT and GIZ. The Stakeholder Consultations will engage a wide spectrum of national actors, including representatives from key government ministries (such as Communications and Digital Transformation, Economy, Finance, Interior, Justice, Health, and Transport & Logistics), major regulatory bodies (including the National Institute of Communications and the Central Bank), and leading private sector entities and infrastructure providers (such as telecommunications companies, data centers, and banking associations). Prominent academic institutions and civil society organizations ranging from universities and research centers to media and integrity watchdogs will also participate.
The Capacity Building Workshop will primarily target government officials and technical personnel from ministries and regulatory authorities responsible for policy implementation and enforcement. Additionally, the workshop will include technical experts from the private sector and academia, particularly those working in software development and ICT infrastructure, in order to foster hands-on skill development and encourage cross-sector collaboration.
Event Outcomes
- A comprehensive, evidence-based blueprint of Tanzania’s digital ecosystem and data governance landscape.
- An inclusive and context-sensitive National Electronic Data Governance Framework implementation roadmap.
- The practical competencies and institutional capacities of Tanzanian government officials and technical personnel strengthened in critical areas.
Document
Relevant Continental Frameworks